GRIPFAST - Cornwall & Devon

The SS Gripfast is, for our money, one of the more underrated deep wrecks in the UK. This merchant vessel went down in 1942 after an aerial attack, and she now rests upright, mostly intact, at a respectable 40 metres. You’ll often find decent visibility down here, certainly better than some of the shallower sites, making for some dramatic views as the wreck slowly materialises out of the green. Her holds are accessible for experienced wreck divers, offering some fantastic penetration opportunities, but even if you just stick to the superstructure, there’s plenty to explore. We love the bridge area, it feels particularly poignant down there, a real sense of history. The Gripfast is absolutely blanketed in plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying gently in the current, creating a stark, almost ghostly contrast against the dark steel. Look closer, and you’ll spot conger eels poking their heads out from every nook and cranny, along with the usual suspects of wrasse and pollock darting through the skeletal remains of the ship. This isn’t a dive for beginners, but if you’re comfortable at depth and keen for a proper wreck dive, the Gripfast delivers.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.423927, -2.144674
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
40m

Marine Protected Area: South Dorset

Best Time to Dive in Cornwall & Devon

The warmest water temperatures in Cornwall & Devon occur in January, averaging 9.6°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 9.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 9.6°C (air: 7.3°C)
  • February: 9.6°C (air: 8.4°C)
  • March: 9.6°C (air: 8.6°C)
  • April: 9.6°C (air: 10.1°C)
  • May: 9.6°C (air: 12.6°C)
  • June: 9.6°C (air: 15.2°C)
  • July: 9.6°C (air: 16.6°C)
  • August: 9.6°C (air: 17.1°C)
  • September: 9.6°C (air: 15.9°C)
  • October: 9.6°C (air: 13.5°C)
  • November: 9.6°C (air: 10.7°C)
  • December: 9.6°C (air: 8.7°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cornwall & Devon

Nearest Dive Centres to GRIPFAST

Marine Life in Cornwall & Devon

Home to 192 recorded species including 93 reef fish, 18 sharks & rays, 13 whales & dolphins, 11 crabs & lobsters, 11 other, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for GRIPFAST

Based on average water temperature of 9.6°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 10°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories